Window Grill Evacuation System

Authors: Sara Banoun

Company/Institution: Alhamraa International School, General Directorate of Education in Jeddah, Makkah Region, Highly Innovative Unique Foundation (HiUF), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Country: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

With 75% of fire deaths occurring in homes (NFPA), the Window Grill Evacuation System addresses the critical need for accessible fire escapes. The system is firmly attached to the building and is designed to turn the right side of each window grill into an emergency ladder. It uses two motors: a servo motor first rotates the lower part of the window grill down 180 degrees, and then a linear gear motor moves a sliding section of the grill to the left so it lines up with the upper fixed section, creating the ladder. The system offers rapid deployment, multiple user capacity, and enhanced structural integrity by affixing to the building rather than the window frame. A survey of 120 adults and 8 civil engineers showed strong support, with 94.2% agreeing to apply it to their buildings and 87.5% of engineers confirming its safety and practicality. This cost-effective solution not only saves lives but also potentially increases property values and stimulates economic growth in safety equipment sectors. The Window Grill Evacuation System represents a significant advancement in fire safety technology, applicable to various building types.